BBQ Shootout Series rolls into NASCAR cities across the nation and it is giving fans the opportunity to taste best in class BBQ, meet NASCAR drivers and win tickets to upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

Starting this spring, award winning BBQ Pit Masters from across the country will be firing up their grills during local events to compete for tens of thousands of dollars in prize money - and barbeque bragging rights. Whether the chefs throw down with a dry rub or a zesty sauce, lip-smacking BBQ will be available for fans on-site to enjoy.

In addition to its NASCAR sponsorships, Prilosec OTC is also proud to support The NASCAR Foundation and join forces to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. "It's such a great opportunity to work with a brand that not only invests in the sport of NASCAR but also appreciates the passions of its fans," said NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton. "Prilosec OTC has been a strong and loyal supporter of NASCAR and sponsor of my No. 31 team, so I'm excited to work with them on the BBQ Shootout Series."

Through a partnership with Speedway Motorsports Inc. and Speed TV, segments from Prilosec OTC BBQ Shootout Series competitions will begin airing on Friday, April 3rd at 7PM. To find out more about the BBQ Shootout Series, fans can visit BBQShootoutSeries.com for complete tour details.

Sprint Nextel has a new boss, but company officials said this week that it is too early to talk about whether the Overland Park-based telecommunications giant would have a new relationship with NASCAR.

Dan Hesse was hired to replace Gary Forsee as Sprint Nextel’s chief executive officer a little more than two weeks ago. Since then, a couple of major holidays have slowed Hesse’s ability to jump headlong into his new job.

Dean Kessel, Sprint’s director of NASCAR marketing, said Thursday that there has just not been enough time for Hesse to consider his company’s relationship with the auto racing series.

“It’s still very early in the process,” Kessel said. “We are looking forward to giving Dan a complete overview of our sponsorship and the NASCAR property and how the property activates and how we can leverage it going forward.”

Sprint became involved in NASCAR when it announced it would merge with Virginia-based Nextel in December 2004.

Nextel had purchased entry into NASCAR in 2003 after tobacco company R.J. Reynolds surrendered title sponsorship of the Cup series for the 2004 season. NASCAR’s premier series was renamed Nextel Cup, and that name stayed in place through the 2007 season.

For the 2008 season, the series has been renamed the Sprint Cup.

Sprint officials have consistently stated that they have been happy with their relationship with NASCAR and see no reason to alter it over the final years of the original 10-year deal.

Let’s get this party started; the Engines are ready to rev it up! NASCAR is in full swing now, which means it’s time to get the grills out and the campers ready. Why is this year going to offer more than last season? What’s in store for NASCAR fans? This year should be a memorable one for enthusiasts across the nation as drivers compete for the Nextel Cup.

This is the second year NASCAR is using a new point system, which allows drivers to position themselves for a final push down the stretch. Last year, due to the new point system many of NASCAR’s top drivers were left out of the point chase, but with a year under their belts, more drivers will know what it takes to win the Cup. Considering that only the top-ten drivers have a chance at the Nextel Cup, there’s not much room for error. Drivers have to make sure each race counts in order to ensure they are not left in the infield at the end of the season.

Most of the drivers and fans are unsure if they like the new point system; year two will give them a better idea of its strengths and weaknesses. If the drivers and the fans continue to complain about the new format, NASCAR may be forced to make some changes in the way it awards the Cup. The new format was supposed to make things more interesting, and although some thought it did there are still those that like the old system better.

NASCAR fans should enjoy an excellent year in 2006 as most tracks aim to become friendlier for attendees. Many of the tracks around the country are adding extra events to get people more involved. One thing the racing organization is attempting to do is make drivers and their crews more accessible to the general public.

NASCAR has also accelerated a more family oriented atmosphere and has more events that everyone can enjoy. In the early years, stockcar racing was seen as a redneck sport and a place to drink beer. But with the continuing growth in popularity, NASCAR executives have identified a more diverse demographic to capture. NASCAR fans include your average working people, business executives, doctors, lawyers, and just about any other profession of which you can think.

As NASCAR continues to grow, the demand for tracks will also increase. Smaller venues are what NASCAR was found on, but it is hard to ignore the calling of big markets and the money they bring to the table. If the smaller markets are not able to capitalize on what they have, they run the risk of losing one or all of their races to bigger cities. Hopefully NASCAR will not forget its roots and continue to be loyal to the communities that helped build the sport and its popularity.

There have already been instances where a smaller market has lost one of its races to a bigger one. If the sport continues to grow, it will be hard to tell the larger markets "no," because they offer the chance to make more money and gain even greater exposure. NASCAR may have to look at expanding the season to satisfy the increasing demand for races. This is a good problem to have and it is doubtful that you will hear one NASCAR executive complaining about it.

If all goes well, NASCAR will continue to grow into a bigger sport and bigger business. The road is wide open for this sport, because NASCAR is constantly tapping into new markets. As long as NASCAR is able to keep the fans happy, it will continue to grow. Thus far, NASCAR seems to have run the popularity race with aplomb; let’s see if they can keep it up without any unnecessary pit stops.

NASCAR history is filled with influential people. A few influential individuals, including William France, Sr., have been responsible for creating the sport and taking it to where it is today.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was founded by France on February 21st, 1948. France, together with other drivers, designed a points system that would become the foundation of NASCAR racing. As early as 1948, the schedule consisted of 52 modified races that were run on dirt tracks. The first National Championship was won by Red Byron.

The Beginnings

Named its first commissioner, Erwin "Cannonball" Baker had a big impact on the history of NASCAR. An accomplished racer who set dozens of land speed records himself (hence his nickname), Baker allowed almost no changes to the cars that were raced.

Glenn Dunnaway became the first NASCAR driver to be disqualified after it was discovered that he had altered the rear springs in his cars. However, over a 10-15 year period, modifications were allowed for safety and performance periods, until by the mid-1960s almost all stock cars were built solely for the purpose of racing them.

Most NASCAR race tracks were from half a mile to a mile long, and the action in a relatively compact area added to the excitement of the sport. Some of the earlier tracks, such as the Martinsville Speedway and the Darlington Raceway are still in use today. Even the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been in existence since 1909, is still being used. However, the most famous race track of the NEXTEL Cup Series, the Daytona International Speedway was built in 1959, with a length of 2.5 miles.

The Later Years

In the early 1970s, the history of NASCAR took a dramatic turn. It increased in popularity due in large part to an altered points system as well as new sponsorship including the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

In 1979, the Daytona 500 was shown on CBS, making it the first NASCAR race to be shown from start to finish on television. Going into the last lap, leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison got into a wreck, allowing a third driver to pass them both for the win. Yarborough and Allison got into a fistfight, and the drama and emotion that was shown in that race might be the defining moment in the history of NASCAR. Its popularity has steadily increased since.

NASCAR counts today amongst the most popular sports in the USA. It is hugely profitable for the participants as well, with at least million in prize money up for grabs at every race in the NEXTEL Cup Series. The NEXTEL Cup is run over 36 races. The sport is so popular that the successful drivers have millions of devoted fans that watch every single race and spend a lot of money on fan gear every year. In a way, the history of NASCAR is still in the writing.

NASCAR fans are known for their loyalty to the sport, their favorite drivers and each other. When the race comes to town, the streets are lined with vendors selling a wide variety of merchandise sporting the image of drivers and their cars. Something else has been seen at races in recent years, Christian groups reaching out and spreading the Word.

At many races, Christian fans hold early morning prayer services at roadside stands and in camp grounds. Some offer refreshments and religious literature to fellow fans. Some read the Bible in small groups and others listen to sermons. They are looking to spread the word and gather new members. The fellowship of the race environment offers a good place to do just that.

Many of today’s NASCAR fans come from typical Christian backgrounds. Many are from the south, which is known for its Evangelical Christian population. Preachers have been seen praying for and even with drivers prior to a race. This approach makes sense as fans are known for their loyalty to each other and their favorite drivers. They may be more willing to accept literature from a fellow fan than from a stranger.

Corporations have figured this out long ago. This is why they invest a huge amount of money in sponsoring fees. The advertising is very effective and the company is sure to get a good return on the investment. Fans will shop at Lowe’s or Home Depot and drink Coke or Pepsi based on their favorite drivers and racing teams.

In cities across the country, people travel long distances to attend these races. Some will choose to eat in restaurants where their favorite driver has been seen eating in the past. People pour into stores when they hear that a driver is in there. Others book rooms a year in advance to stay in hotels known to be used by the drivers.

The drivers are getting into the act too. Several drivers including Jeff Gordon, Darrel Waltrip, Jimmie Johnson and Terry LaBonte own car dealerships. The names of the drivers are proudly displayed on the building and in advertising. In each of these dealerships, sales rose dramatically after the driver became affiliated with the dealership.

This loyalty doesn’t stop at merchandise, hotels, food, or even car dealerships. Die hard fans also purchase products that drivers use on their cars. If it’s used by a driver, they want it too. This includes paint colors on cars and products used to wash and wax the vehicles.

There is even a popular headlight restoration product that is used by many NASCAR drivers. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer works quickly to restore cloudy headlights to like new condition. New headlights are a costly expense. You can save literally hundreds by restoring your headlights, rather than purchasing new ones.

Clean, new looking headlights make your car look newer. The look isn’t the only consideration. Restoring cloudy headlights is an important safety concern, especially for night driving long distances to your favorite race. Clear headlights allow you to be easily seen by other drivers and give you a better look at the road ahead.

Kansas Speedway hosts NASCAR’s premier series, the NEXTEL Cup Series. It also brings the superstars of the Indy Racing League’s IndyCar Series, the NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA’s RE/MAX Series to Kansas City, Kan., for an exciting season of heart-pounding motorsports action.

Each race weekend, some 82,000 people sit in the speedway’s distinct purple and yellow grandstand to watch their favorite drivers compete. Another 10,000 or more people watch from the comfort of their motorcoaches parked in the track’s massive infield. The newest of all the country’s race tracks, Kansas Speedway boasts superior sightlines, convenient traffic ingress and egress and a streamlined flow from parking lots to the open and airy grandstand and its 68 suites. The concentration of season ticket holders to Kansas Speedway come from a six-state area with a population of 42.1 million. The average fan travels about three to six hours to reach Kansas City, KS.

Changes to NASCAR Points System in 2007 Move Emphasis to Race Victories

A shake-up of the points system used in NASCAR races will award an extra five points to race winners, beginning with the 2007 season events at Daytona 500.

The changes, announced by NASCAR in January '07, were devised to shift emphasis onto drivers winning races rather than merely getting by through consistently finishing within the top ten, a habit that was threatening to dull enthusiasm for the sport.

Referring to the point system changes in a statement, NASCAR CEO, Brian France, said "Winning is what this sport is all about. Nobody likes to see drivers content to finish in the top 10. We want our sport, especially during the Chase, to be more about winning."

Each race victory will now result in 185 points, an additional five points over victories achieved under the previous point system.

To gain an understanding of how an extra five points can increase the competitiveness of NASCAR racers, just calculate the points in an example race scenario.

A race victory will net the driver 185 points. Five point bonuses can be achieved by leading a lap and for leading the most laps. In a good race, the winning driver could potentially be ahead of his closest rival by 25 points in just one event.

The effects of the changes will be most prevalent during the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

In previous years, the drivers eligible for the Chase were the 10 drivers with the highest number of points after the final race in the season and any other drivers whose point tally was within 400 points of the highest scoring driver.

Following the 2007 changes, only the twelve highest scoring drivers will be eligible for the Chase and will be positioned to start the race based on points scored for each victory in the season. Starting from a level 5000 points each, ten points will be awarded to drivers for each previous victory and the driver with the highest overall score will hold the best start position.

The decision to base Nextel Cup Chase competitors' start positions entirely on their previous race victories of the season is a sure-fire way to bring competitiveness for the number one finish back to NASCAR races.

NASCAR is the abbreviation for National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, which is the largest sanctioning body for one of the United States' premier sports: motorsports. NASCAR sponsors 17 out of the top 20 most-attended sporting events in the country, the second-rated regular sport season on network television with broadcasts over 150 countries, and has an estimated 75 million fans who purchase no less than 2 billion dollars in licensed products annually.

NASCAR is composed of 3 national stock car racing series (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series, NASCAR Busch series, and NASCAR Craftsman truck series) as well as sanctioning 7 regional tours and one local grassroots series. It also sanctions 1,500 races over a hundred tracks in 38 states across the country.

* What type of cars are raced?

The cars fielded on NASCAR's race tracks are rear-wheel-drive (RWD), high powered and low tech hot rods equipped with a roll cage chassis and skinny sheet metal covering. These are all powered by carbureted engines with four-speed manual transmissions. Its engines are limited to carry 358 cubic inches or 5.8 liters of fuel with cast iron blocks, single camshaft, and a pushrod valve train.

Furthermore, NASCAR cars' brakes, suspension, and aerodynamic components are carefully selected in order for them to adapt to different race tracks. The adjustment of both front and rear aerodynamic down force, rear track bar geometry, spring rate, and brake proportioning are also critical when it comes to the so-called cornering characteristics of the cars.

The aforementioned specifications are common to most NASCAR cars (except for some modifications that are allowed) regardless of the make or model.

* When did NASCAR racing begin?

NASCAR racing began on February 21, 1948, by mechanic William France Sr. with the help of several stock car drivers at that time who were victims of corrupt racing promoters who took all the money before the drivers were paid.

NASCAR's first sanctioned racing event was held at the Daytona Beach Road Course circuit on February 15, 1948. In that race, Red Byron beat Marshall Teague in the modified division category.

* What is the top speed of a NASCAR car?

The top speed of a NASCAR car varies depending the race track where it runs. For instance, on the Talladega Superspeedway the top speed is 212 miles per hour, set by Bill Elliot in 1988. At the Infenion raceway, the top speed is recorded as 99 miles per hour.

If you’re planning to attend a NASCAR race, then you can probably expect to spend a day at the track. There’s nothing worse than being unprepared for any outing, so consider a small checklist to make the day a fun-filled event.

* Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking. On a normal day, fans can expect to be at the track for a minimum of five to six hours and, depending on your seat location, there are stairs to climb and you will definitely want to have a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

* Always bring a small umbrella or rain poncho - just incase those storm clouds decide to roll in during race time. If this should happen, the race will likely be stopped until the rain passes over and the track is dried. You’ll want to be dry while you wait for the race to resume. Purchase the smallest umbrella possible and tuck it in a purse or a pocket. There’s no need to carry a large, bulky umbrella around all day - especially if it ultimately isn’t needed. As a race fan, you’re always hoping for a sunny day, but it’s good to be prepared. If there‘s a chill in the air, bring a light jacket.

* Remember to bring plenty of drinking water. Bottled water is ideal, convenient and really hits the spot on a hot summer day. Keep in mind that racetracks are large and, as mentioned previously, there is a lot of walking involved. From the time that you arrive, climb the stands and find your seat, fans are looking at a potential 30 minute walk or more. Avoid the temptation to poor the water over your head and save it for drinking.

* A snack is always a good thing to have on hand during raceday. Who wants to leave their seat when a hunger pain hits? Save yourself the time and pack a sandwich or candy bar from home. Don’t forget the hand sanitizer or soap, too!

* Keeping in mind that attending a live event is different than a televised event is essential. Many of the luxuries of watching at home, on television, are absent at a live event. Sitting in the stands will leave you without the commentary, so consider a scanner and headphones. A list of driver frequencies are available at most tracks, which will enable you to hear the spotter and driver communicate with one another during the race.

* Be sure to bring a camera and several rolls of film. If you’re using a digital camera, be sure that you have several brand new back-up batteries incase yours runs down through the course of the day.

Before you close that suitcase, there’s just a few more small items to remember. If you have a pit pass, bring along a small notebook for autographs. Consider bringing some cash, but not too much, for a visit to the many souvenir trailers lined outside the track. A final check should reveal that you’ve packed a pair of sunglasses and, if you’re seated high in the stands, grab a pair of binoculars and bring the action up close. After all, if a race isn’t close - what’s the point? Have fun.